KYIV—As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine approaches its sixth month, Ukraine’s resiliency against numerically superior Russian forces has inspired and astounded observers the world over. But not everyone is surprised. According to some in the Pentagon, once approval was given to supply the advanced rocket launching system HIMARS and state-of-the-art reflective belts, Ukraine’s ability to repel Russia increased exponentially.

“Those reflective belts are something else, aren’t they?” asked Air Force Col. Wendall James, a Pentagon spokesperson. “Once the National Security Council and President Biden decided to roll the dice and provide Ukraine’s military with those babies, I know President Zelensky was finally able to get a good night’s sleep.”

“Oh, the HIMARS are good too,” he added. “What are they, artillery? Tanks?”

Sources within the Pentagon detailed the fierce debate that occurred in the weeks leading up to the decision.